2027: Nigerians need competent, unifying president — Hayatu-Deen

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Presidential aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, on Wednesday, said Nigeria needs a competent and unifying leader to confront the country’s mounting economic and security challenges ahead of the 2027 general election.

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Hayatu-Deen spoke in Abuja shortly after submitting his expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the presidential primary of the ADC.

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Addressing journalists after the submission, the former banker and economist said the country could no longer afford divisive leadership, stressing that competence and national cohesion must define the next presidency.

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He said, “What is required here is competence and distinction in terms of one’s ability to provide leadership to every single individual in this country. The 230m people deserve a leader who is a unifier, not a divider. One who is very competent, who understands this country, its opportunities and problems, and who also understands what the world is all about and Nigeria’s place in it.”

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Hayatu-Deen, the pioneer Managing Director of FSB International Bank Plc, lamented the worsening socio-economic conditions in the country, saying his campaign would focus on practical solutions to insecurity, inflation and declining living standards.

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“We face enormous problems in this country, pertaining to high inflation, the cost of living, hunger, poverty and disease. Children are out of school, health facilities are dilapidated, and we have at hand an enormous amount of insecurity.

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“If I’m lucky to get the nomination and go on to contest this election, I’ll be waging a campaign that is focused on alleviating poverty, eliminating insecurity in this country, reducing the cost of living, putting our children back to school, and giving our people prosperity.

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“I will provide a world where the people can live comfortably, and we will raise the quality of life for all Nigerians,” he added.

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The former presidential aspirant of the now-defunct Peoples Redemption Party has long projected himself as a technocratic alternative within Nigeria’s political landscape, often emphasising economic reforms, institution-building and national unity.

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His latest declaration comes at a time when political parties are beginning early positioning ahead of the 2027 elections amid growing public concern over inflation, insecurity, unemployment and governance challenges.

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Nigeria’s inflation rate has remained elevated in recent months, with rising food prices and foreign exchange instability worsening economic hardship across the country. At the same time, insecurity linked to banditry, insurgency and communal violence continues to affect several states.

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Hayatu-Deen urged Nigerians to prioritise leadership quality over ethnic or regional considerations in choosing the country’s next president.

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“Competence is exceptional at this point in time, because anybody who is going for the office of president is actually going as a quintessential Nigerian.

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“It is not because I come from Borno or from Imo or Anambra. Once you put your hands on the Quran or the Bible, you’re actually taking an oath to work for the Nigerian people, wherever they come from, regardless of background,” he stressed.

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The ADC chieftain also pledged to run what he described as an issue-based campaign focused squarely on the country’s pressing challenges and his proposed solutions.

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